Strip inserting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A strip inserting apparatus comprising a pair of elongated jaw members extending in a side-by-side relation and connected together for relative axial movement by a pair of links pivotably mounted adjacent opposite ends of the jaw members to form a parallelogram linkage. A longitudinally and downwardly tapered groove is provided in the apparatus for progressively inserting a strip of material into a slot. The groove is defined by laterally spaced gripping surfaces on the jaw members, which surfaces are tapered rearwardly of the apparatus in a converging relation and a pair of downwardly inclined surfaces extending inwardly of the respective gripping surfaces. Anti-friction rollers can be provided on the jaw members to facilitate relative movement between the jaw members and the strip. At least one insert wheel is journaled on the rearward portion of the apparatus to insert the strip to the desired depth. An actuator connected to the jaw members moves the jaw members alternately in an axial direction along the strip. A vibrator is mounted on the jaw members below the actuator for facilitating insertion of the strip. Passages formed in the jaw members direct a lubricant-adhesive to the sides of the strip prior to insertion thereof.

[451 June 6,1972

[54] STRIP INSERTING APPARATUS James F. Sharpe, Buffalo, N.Y.

Acme Highway Products Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y.

22 Filed: May26, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 40,570

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

521 U.S. c1 ..29/235, 94/51 51 Int. Cl ....B23p 19/02, EolC 23/02 [58]Field of Search ..29 235, 525; 52 749; 156/574,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,035 1/1937 Meyer..29/235 ux 3,200,482 8/1965 Brown ..29/235 3,364,828 1/1968 Shope...94/51 x Primary Examiner-Andrew R. J uhasz Assistant Examiner-MichaelKoczo, Jr. Attorney-Christel & Bean ABSTRACT A strip inserting apparatuscomprising a pair of elongated jaw members extending in a side-by-siderelation and connected together for relative axial movement by a pair oflinks pivotably mounted adjacent opposite ends of the jaw members toform a parallelogram linkage. A longitudinally and downwardly taperedgroove is provided in the apparatus for progressively inserting a stripof material into a slot. The groove is defined by laterally spacedgripping surfaces on the jaw members, which surfaces are taperedrearwardly of the apparatus in a converging relation and a pair ofdownwardly inclined surfaces extending inwardly of the respectivegripping surfaces. Anti-friction rollers can be provided on the jawmembers to facilitate relative movement between the jaw members and thestrip. At least one insert wheel is journaled on the rearward portion ofthe apparatus to insert the strip to the desired depth. An actuatorconnected to the jaw members moves the jaw members alternately in anaxial direction along the strip. A vibrator is mounted on the jawmembers below the actuator for facilitating insertion of the strip.Passages formed in the jaw members direct a lubricant-adhesive to thesides of the strip prior to insertion thereof.

16 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 6 I972 SHEET 10F 6 l N VENTOR.

James S/zgrpe ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEDJUN 6 I972 SHEEI 2 0f 6 INVENTOR.

1 0 James FF/arpe BY M* 6 ATTORNEYS.

PATENTElJJun s 1912 SHEET 30F 6 INVENTOR. mes Ii -Thorpe ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEDJUN 6l972 3,667,105

sum u 0F 6 INVENTOR.

JamesffiSfia rpe ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUJUH 6 I972 SHEET 5 [IF 6 INVENTOR. Jbmes ['7 5 107702 ATTORNEYSPATENTEDJun 6 I972 SHEET 6 OF 6 INVENTOR. 7i2 mes F5790 rpe ATTORNEYS-BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a strip insertingapparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus for inserting acontinuous sealing Strip of elastomeric material into an elongated slotformed between adjacent building blocks or slabs.

In highway and bridge construction, it is generally known to insertelongated seals of resilient elastomeric material into slots or groovesformed between adjacent blocks or slabs of concrete or other buildingmaterial which are exposed to variations in temperature causingexpansion and contraction of the same and resulting in variations in thewidth of the slots between such blocks or slabs. The sealing strip usedin these slots must be capable of completely sealing the joint under allconditions. When the slot is contracted due to expansion of the pavementmaterial, the strip must compress without unduly extruding from the slotabove the surface of the pavement. When the slot is expanded due tocontraction of the pavement material, the strip must expand toeffectively seal the wider slot. Normally, the sealing strip is widerthan the slot in which it is to be inserted so that the strip must becompressed prior to insertion.

Various machines and devices have been designed to insert.

sealing strips in expansion joint slots formed between bridge andhighway pavements. Although these machines are adequate for insertingsealing strips in slots on horizontal surfaces, they are notsatisfactory for inserting sealing strips in slots formed in vertical orsuspended surfaces such as are found in architectural concourses andstructural desigrs, because they are bulky, heavy and awkward to handle.Moreover, they are costly and often constitute a component of a largerhighway surfacing apparatus. As far as can be ascertained, the presentpractice for inserting sealing strips into expansion slots formed inceilings and vertical surfaces is to employ a hand tool, such as ascrewdriver or a putty knife for example. It is readily apparent thatthe strip is easily scar-red or nicked during such tedious handinsertion. Moreover, the strip is not uniformly inserted the desireddepth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a strip inserting apparatus particularly adaptedfor inserting strips in expansion joint slots formed in vertical andsuspended surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strip insertingapparatus which is simple and strong in construction, rugged and durablein use, inexpensive, and which can be easily manipulated by hand.

A further object of this invention is to provide a strip insertingapparatus having means for compressing the strip and means for directinga lubricanbadhesive to the seal prior to insertion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strip insertingapparatus having adjusting means for accommodating sealing strips ofvarying widths.

Generally speaking, the strip inserting apparatus of this invention, ashereinafter described, comprises a pair of elongated jaw membersextending in a side-by-side relationship and connected together forrelative axial movement by a pair of links pivotably mounted at oppositeends to the jaw members and forming a parallelogram linkage therewith.The jaw members have laterally spaced gripping surfaces taperedrearwardly in a converging relation and downwardly inclined surfaceswhich together with the gripping surfaces define a groove tapereddownwardly and rearwardly for progressively inserting a sealing stripinto an expansion joint slot. An insert wheel is joumaled on therearward portion of the apparatus to insert the strip to the desireddepth. An actuator is provided for actuating the jaw members alternatelyalong the length of the strip. A vibrator is mounted on the apparatus tofacilitate insertion of the strip. Passages are provided in the jawmemtion thereof. Anti-friction rollers can be provided on the jawmembers for bearing engagement against the strip to facilitate relativeaxial movement between the jaw members and the strip.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing featuresof the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuingdetailed description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof, takentogether with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencecharacters denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view,partially in section, of a strip inserting apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken about on line 2- 2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the strip insertingapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the strip inserting apparatus shown inFIG. 1; 7

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the jaw members in analternate relative position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken about on line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

. of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of still another form of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken about on line13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of yet another form of stripinserting apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the strip inserting apparatus ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the strip inserting apparatus of FIG. 14;and

FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the strip inserting apparatus ofFIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a stripinserting apparatus, generally designated 20, comprising a pair ofelongated jaw members 22 and 24 extending in a side-by-side relationshipand connected together for relative axial movement by means of links 26and 28. Link 26 is pivoted adjacent one end thereof about an upstandingpin 30 having a head 31 received in an annular recess 33 in the bottomof jaw member 22 and extending upwardly through jaw member 22, link 26,and having a threaded portion 32 at the free end thereof for a purposehereinafter explained. The other end of link 26 is provided with anelongated slot 34 for loosely accommodating a depending pin 36 having ahead 37 bearing on a washer 38 disposed on the top of link 26 andextending downwardly through slot 34 and threadably secured in jawmember 24. In a similar but opposite manner, link 28 is pivoted adjacentone end thereof about an upstanding pin 40 having a head 41 received inan annular recess 43 in the bottom of jaw member 24 and extendingupwardly through jaw member '24 and having a threaded portion at thefree end thereof projecting above the upper surface of link 28 for apurpose hereinafter explained. The other end of link 28 is provided withan elongated slot 42 for loosely accommodating a depending pin 44 havinga head 45 bearing on a washer 46 on link 28 and extending downwardlythrough slot 42 and bers to admit a lubricant-adhesive to the stripprior to inserthreadably secured in jaw member 22. Links 26 and 28together with jaw members 22 and 24 form a parallelogram linkage forpermitting arcuate and axial movement of one jaw member relative to theother. In this connection, it should be noted that there is relativepivotal movement between the pins and their associated links.

The tenns upwardly, downwardly, top, bottom, forwardly, rearwardly, andthe like, as used herein, are applied only for convenience ofdescription with reference to FIGS. 1 and should not be taken aslimiting the scope of this invention. Likewise, for purposes of thisdescription, the forward end of apparatus 20 is taken to be the righthand end as seen in FIG. 1.

Jaw members 22 and 24 are provided with adjoining side walls 48 and 50,respectively (FIGS. 2 and 6) having recessed portions therein extendingto bottom surfaces 52 and 54 of jaw members 22 and 24 to form a taperedgroove for accommodating asealing strip as will hereinafter becomeapparent. Such tapered groove is defined by surfaces Y56 and 58extending inwardly from side walls 48 and 50 and inclined downwardlyfrom the forward portions of jaw members 22 and 24 rearwardlyto mergewith bottom surfaces 52 and 54 as shown at 60 in FIG. 8. As shown inFIG. 6, surfaces 56 and 58 also are inclined laterally and convergedownwardly to form a composite V-shaped configuration when disposed inan abutting relation to conform generally to the top wall of the stripto be inserted. Surfaces 56 and 58 intersect with offset side walls 62and 64 formed in members 22 and 24, which side walls 62 and 64, extendthe length of inclined surfaces 56 and 58 and are slightly inclineddownwardly in a converging relation.: Offset side walls 62 and 64 alsoare slightly inclined rearwardly inaconverging relation as shown inFIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Thus, inclined surfaces 56, 58 and side walls 62 and64 define a groove which decreases in width rearwardly of apparatus 20and is inclined downwardly thereof toprogressively compress the sealingstrip and urge it downwardly in the compressed state into the expansionslot wherein it expands to exert outward sealing pressure against thewalls of the joint.

Side walls 62 and 64 constitute gripping surfaces and are provided witha series of indentations 66 to more effectively gripthe sides of thesealing strip to be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, theseindentations have inwardly extending shoulders 68 and cammed surfaces 70inclined rearwardly and inwardly for a purpose hereinafter more fullyexplained. It should be understood that only one indentation 66, or anydesired number can be provided on each gripping surface within thepurview of this invention.

Means are provided at the forward end of strip inserting appar'atus 20to guide the same along the slot to be worked. Such means comprise apair of angle members 72 and 74 secured in recesses provided in bottomsurfaces 52 and 54 by suitable fasteners, such as screws76 for example.Legs 78 and 80 depend from the forward portions of angle members 72 and74 below bottom surfaces 52 and 54 of jaw members 22 and 24 and haverounded surfaces as shown at 82 in FIG. 1 for easy insertion andmovement in the slot of the expansion joint.

Legs 78 and 80 are generally parallel and are spaced a distance slightlyless than the width of the slot so that they can be easily inserted inthe expansion slot.

An insert wheel 86 is mounted on a shaft 88 joumaled for rotation in anofi'setside wall portion of jaw member 22. The periphery of wheel 86extends below bottom surfaces 52 and 54 of jaw membes 22 and 24 and isadapted to engage the depressed middle portion of sealing strip S.Shoulders 90 are provided on opposite sides of wheel 86 to engage thediverging top wall portions of strip S and thereby prevent rolling orbulging of these portions to insure that the entire width of the stripis properly inserted to the desired depth. The radius of wheel 86 canvary in accordance with the desired depth of strip disposition.

Jaw members 22 and 24 are provided with ports 92 communicating withlateral passages 94 having outlets in offset side walls 62 and 64. Ports92 are connected by suitable coupling means 96 to conduits 98 leadingtoa-source of lubricant-adhesive material. Thus, a lubricant-adhesive isapplied to the side portions of sealing strip S just prior to its beinginserted in the expansion joint slot to facilitate insertion of strip Sand to cement the same in place when the adhesive sets.

A suitable pneumatic vibrator 100 is located above jaw members 22 and 24and is mounted at opposite ends on pins and 40 for pivotal movementsthereabout. Suitable conduits 102 are connected to vibrator 100 foradmitting and exhausting air under pressure to and from vibrator 100.The purpose of vibrator 100 is to induce vibrations in strip insertingapparatus 20 to facilitate the insertion of strip S into the expansionjoint slot and is particularly advantageous when inserting strips ofrelatively large diameter sizes. For smaller diameter strips, vibrator100 is not necessary and can be removed from strip inserting apparatus20.

Means are provided to actuate jaw members 22 and 24 alternately in astep-by-step manner axially along strip S. Such means comprises apneumatic actuator 104 comprising a cylinder 106 and a reciprocablepiston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 108. Preferably, anactuator of the type having built in spool type pilot valves (not shown)suitably connected by a piping arrangement, (also not shown) to acontrol valve 110 mounted onto the head end of cylinder 106, is employedto provide automatic reciprocation of the piston within cylinder 106. Aconduit 112 is provided to admit air under pressure to control valve 110. Such actuators are common and can be of the type known as theMicro-Line Cylinder with Micro-Line Inter-Pilots manufactured by theMeads Manufacturing Company. It should be understood that the specificactuator shown is illustrative only and, .per se, forms no part of thisinvention. If desired, other types of actuators can be used within thepurview of this invention.

The head end of actuator 104 is connected to jaw member 24 and ispivotally mounted on the threaded end portion of pin 40 above vibrator100. The rod end of actuator l04'is connected to jaw member 22 by meansof an angle member 114 having one leg 116 mounted on threaded portion 32of pin 30 above vibrator and the other leg 118 mounted on piston rod108. A pair of stop nuts 120 are threaded onto piston rod 108 adjacentthe free end thereof and are adapted to engage leg 118 during retractionof piston rod 108 and a pair of stop nuts 122 are threaded onto anintermediate portion of piston rod 108 and are adapted to engage leg 118during extension of piston rod 108. Thus, there is a certain amount oflost motion between piston rod 108 and angle member 114 during actuationof piston rod 108.

In use, a strip S of resilient elastomeric material, such as neoprenefor example, is placed in position along an elongated slot S formed inan expansion joint between adjacent building blocks B. One end of thestrip is anchored and the free end is threaded into the groove ofapparatus 20, which groove is defined by gripping surfaces 62, 64 andinclined surfaces 56, 58. Air is then admitted to vibrator 100 andactuator 104 to actuate jaw members 22 and 24. As piston rod 108 isextended, stop nuts 122 engage leg 118 of angle member 114 to urge thesame forwardly and move jaw member 22 in an arcuate and forwarddirection relative to jaw member 24 along strip S. Although jaw member24 moves rearwardly to some extent while jaw member 22 moves forwardly,the over all effect is that jaw member 22 advances forwardly of jawmember 24 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. When piston rod 108 is retractedwithin cylinder 106, jaw member 24 advances axially of strip S andforwardly of jaw member 22.

FIG. 10 illustrates the arcuate movement of links 26 and 28 and thegripping surfaces 62 and 64 of jaw members 22 and 24. Since the movementof both links 26 and 28 are substantially identical, it is believed thata description of the movement of link 26 only will sufiice. Letters Aand B represent the pivot axes of pins 30 and 36 of link 26 as shown inFIG. 2. Arrows C and D indicate arcuate movement of these pivot axes andarrows E and F indicate arcuate movement of a given point on grippingsurfaces 62 and 64. Starting at the left end of the diagram, pivot axisA of link 26 remains fixed while the pivot axis B of link 26 moves in anarcuate direction along arrow D to point B upon retraction of piston rod108. Link 26 carries jaw member 24 along with it in the same arcuatedirection and gripping surface 64 moves along arrow F as shown in FIG.10. When piston rod 108 is extended, the pivot axis now represented by Bremains fixed while pivot axis A moves along arrow C to point A. Sidewall 62 of jaw member 22 also follows a similar arcuate path along arrowE. Elongated slots 34 and 42 permit further relative sliding movementbetween jaw members 22 and 24 when upper side walls 48 and 50 abut priorto completion of the jaw member movement. The above described cycle isrepeated to effect a step-bystep movement of jaw members 22 and 24 in awalking fashion along strip S.

It should be understood that FIG. illustrates only the theoreticalrelative link and gripping surface movement and does not represent jawmember movement nor movement of strip S caused by inertia andcompressive forces. In operation, with gripping surfaces 62 and 64 inengagement with opposite sides of a strip, jaw members 22 and 24 move inopposite arcuate directions. However, the forward movement of one jawmember will exceed the rearward movement of the other jaw member toeffect an overall forward advancement of the jaw members relative tostrip S for the following reasons. Strip S is in a compressed statebetween gripping surfaces 62 and 64 and tends to bulge laterallyoutwardly against such surfaces during their respective arcuate movementto substantially fill the now wider space. With reference to FIG. 4,when jaw member 22 moves in an arcuate forward path, due to extension ofpiston rod 108, cammed surfaces 70 of indentations 66 enable thesesurfaces to slip relative to strip S allowing jaw member 22 to moveforwardly. Simultaneously, jaw member 24 tends to move in an oppositerearward direction. However, portions of strip S will bulge into thespaces defined by indentations 66 and be compressed by shoulder 68 uponrearward movement of jaw member 24 until a reaction force issufficiently induced in such portions of strip 5 to stop further reversemovement of jaw member 24. Jaw member 22 continues to move forwardlyuntil it completes the end of its travel as shown in FIG. 4 while jawmember 24 remains substantially stationary. With the retraction ofpiston rod 108, jaw member 24 moves forwardly by reason of slippage ofcammed surface 70 relative to strip S and jaw member 22 moves rearwardlyuntil stopped by the reactive bearing pressure of compressed strip S onshoulders 68 of jaw member 22. law member 24 continues to move forwardlyuntil it reaches the end of its stroke as shown in FIG. 5.

As strip inserting apparatus advances along strip S in theabove-described manner, strip S is progressively inserted in expansionjoint slot S by means of downwardly inclined surfaces 56 and 58 andfinally inserted to the desired depth by wheel 86. Shoulders 90 bearagainst the top wall side portions of strip S to insure properdisposition of strip S within the slot.

FIG. 11 illustrates another form of the invention particularly adaptedfor accommodating varied diameter sizes of sealing strips. This form ofthe invention is identical to the form previously described with theexception that adjusting means are provided for varying the spacingbetween the side walls 48 and 50 of jaw members 22 and 24. As shown inFIG. 11, link 26' is pivotably mounted at one end thereof about a pin36' and an adjustable pin 130 located intennediate the end of link 26'.Pin 130 is mounted in a moveable block 132 guided for axial movement onspaced guideways 134 formed in link 26. An elongated screw 136 extendsthrough an opening provided in an end wall 138 of link 26' and isconnected at its one end to block 132. A pair of lock nuts 140 arethreaded onto screw 136 on opposite sides of end wall 138.

In a similar construction but opposite orientation, link 28 is pivotablymounted at one end thereof abut a pin 44' and an adjustable pin 142located intermediate the ends of link 28. Pin 142 is carried by amoveable block 144 guided for axial movement on spaced guideways 146formed in link 28'. An elongated screw 148 extends through an openingprovided in an end wall 150 and is connected at one end thereof to block144. A pair of lock nuts 152 are threaded onto screw 148 on oppositesides of end wall 150. Screws 136 and 148 can be manipulated to adjustthe spacing between jaw members 22 and 24 to accommodate various widthsof sealing strips and to change the effective lengths of links 26 and28'. Also, links 26' and 28' can be individually adjusted to provide atapered spacing between jaw members 22 and 24, if desired.

FIGS. 12 and-13 illustrate still another fonn of the invention which isparticularly adapted for sealing strips having large widths. A pluralityof rollers are mounted on rotatable shafts 162 joumaled for rotation injaw members 22 and 24. Shafts 162 are oriented parallel to inclinedsurfaces 56 and 58 and provide inclined roller bearing surfaces forthick, heavy duty sealing strips to facilitate relative axial movementbetween jaw members 22 and 24 and strip S.

Still another form of the invention particularly adapted for large,heavy duty sealing strips is shown in FIGS. 14-17 for reducing thefriction between jaw members 22, 24 and strip S and facilitatingrelative axial movement therebetween. The strip inserting apparatus ofFIGS. 14-17 is comprehensively designated 20' and comprises a pair ofelongated, laterally spaced jaw members 22 and 24' connected togetherfor relative axial movement by means of links 26' and 28. Link 26 ispivoted adjacent one end thereof about a pin extending downwardlythrough link 26 and suitably threaded in jaw member 24. The other end oflink 26' is pivotally mounted about a pin 172 threaded into jaw member22'. Link 28' is pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof about a pin174 suitably threaded in jaw member 24', the other end of link 28' beingpivotally mounted about pin 176 threaded into jaw member 22. The headsof pins 174 and 176 are received in corresponding recesses provided inthe upper recess of link 28'. Links 26' and 28 together with jaw members22 and 24' form a parallelogram linkage for permitting arcuate and axialmovement of one jaw member relative to the other.

The means for actuating jaw member 22 and 24 altemately in astep-by-step manner axially along strip S comprises a pneumaticactuator, generally designated 178, having a cylinder 180 and a piston(not shown) reciprocable therein and connected to a piston rod 182. Acontrol valve and piping arrangement (not shown), which can be similarto that described in connection with the first form of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 1, are suitable connected to actuator 178 forautomatically reciprocating the piston within cylinder 180.

The head end of actuator 178 is connected to jaw member 24' by means ofan L-shaped bracket 184 having one leg 186 rigidly secured to actuator178 by means of a fastener 188, the other leg 190 of bracket 184disposed beneath link 28' and about pin 174. Piston rod 182 is connectedto jaw member 22' by means of a bracket 192 having one leg 194 disposedbeneath the head of pin 172 and about the shank thereof, the other leg196 receiving the reduced diameter, threaded end portion 198 of piston182. A pair of stop nuts 200 are threaded onto portion 198 of piston rod182 adjacent the free end thereof to engage and carry bracket 192 alongtherewith during retraction of piston rod 182. The transition betweenpiston rod 182 and the reduced diameter portion thereof forms a shoulder202 engageable with bracket 192 for moving the same axially outwardlyduring extension of the piston rod 182.

Jaw members 22 and 2A are provided with spaced side walls 204 and 206having recessed portions therein defined by gripping surfaces ortapered, converging side walls 208 and 210 and upper cam surfaces orinclined walls 212 and 214 defining a tapered groove which decreases inwidth rearwardly of apparatus 20' and is inclined downwardly forreceiving a sealing strip S therein to progressively compress the sameand urge it downwardly in the compressed state into the pavement groovewherein it expands to exert outward sealing pressure against the wallsof the groove. Two sets of rollers 216 and 218 joumaled for rotation onshafts 220 and 222 secured in side walls 208 and 210, respectively, areprovided for reducing the friction between inclined walls 212, 214 andstrip S. The peripheral contact surface of these rollers projectslightly below their respective inclined walls 212 and 214..Likewise,two sets of rollers 224 and 226 joumaled for rotation on upwardlyinclined shafts 228 and 230 mounted in jaw members 22' and 24',respectively are provided for reducing the friction between side walls208, 210 and strip S in order to facilitate relative axial movementtherebetween.

The bottom ends of jaw members 22 and 24' are inclined adjacent theirforward ends upwardly toward the front of apparatus as shown at 232 inFIG. 14. A pair of laterally spaced rollers 234 and 236 are rotatablymounted on these .inclined surfaces of jaw members 22' and 24 forcompressing strip S laterally inwardly to enable the same to be readilyintroduced into the groove of the expansion joint. Also, a pair oflaterally spaced insert wheels 238 and 240 are rotatably mounted onshafts 242 and 244 mounted in jaw members 22' and 24, respectively,adjacent the bottom rear ends thereof. Insert wheels 238 and 240 aremounted in arcuate cavities 246 and 248 formed in jaw members 22' and24'. These insert wheels force the sealing strip S downwardly into thepavement groove and determine the depth to which strip S in inserted. Ofcourse, the radii of wheels 238 and 240 can vary in accordance with thedesired depth of strip disposition.

The operation of strip inserting apparatus 20' is similar to thatdescribed in connection with apparatus 20. A handle 250 is mounted onapparatus 20' for manually guiding and manipulating such apparatus. Oncea portion of the sealing strip is threaded into the groove of apparatus20 defined by side walls 208, 210 and upper inclined walls 212 and 214,air is admitted to actuator 178 to actuate jaw members 22' and 24' inthe same manner described in connection with jaws 22 and 24 of apparatus20 in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Thus, jawmembers 22 and 24 are moved axially in a walking step-by-step manneralong sealing strip S to urge the same progressively into the pavementgroove by means of inclined walls 212 and 214 and the frictionlessrollers 216 and 218. Rollers 222 and 224 also facilitate axial movementbetween jaw members 22', 24 and strip S while insert rollers 238 and 240force strip S to the proper depth within the pavement slot. Just priorto strip S being introduced into the pavement groove, it is laterallycompressed by means of rollers 234 and 236 to insure ease of insertionof strip S into the groove.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention fullyaccomplishes its intended objects and provides a novel apparatus forexpediently inserting a sealing strip in expansion joint grooves to thedesired depth in a more efficient manner without damaging the strip. Theapparatus of this invention is particularly adapted for insertingsealing strips in grooves formed in vertical and suspended surfaces,such as walls, ceilings and the like. The apparatus is compact and canbe easily guided by hand. Also, this apparatus comprises means forprogressively compressing opposite sides of the strip and means fordirecting a lubricant-adhesive to such sides prior to insertion of thestrip in the slot. The spacing and/or the relative longitudinalinclination between the side walls of the jaw members can be varied byadjusting means, if desired. Antifriction rollers in bearing contactwith the sealing strip can be employed for facilitating relative axialmovement between the jaw members of the apparatus and large, heavy dutysealing strips.

If apparatus 20' is actuated without a sealing strip threaded into thegroove between members 22', 24', only member 22' will move because ofthe axial alinement of the drive cylinder used. For example, astationery or portable electric motor can have a cable drive connectedto the movable members.

Preferred embodiments of this invention having been disclosed in detail,it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustrationonly.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for inserting a sealing strip into a groove comprising apair of members, means connecting said members together in aside-by-side relation, said members having opv posed work engagingsurfaces for receiving a sealing strip therebetween, means for movingsaid members relative to each other and to such strip to advance saidmembers axially relative to said strip, and means operable upon suchrelative movement of said members for inserting said strip into thegroove.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opposed work engagingsurfaces comprise gripping surfaces laterally engaging the strip.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strip inserting meansinclude cam surfaces on said members longitudinally inclined downwardlyfor directing the strip into the groove.

' 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 together with means mounted adjacentone end of said members for inserting said strip in said groove to apredetermined depth.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for guiding saidmembers along said groove.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for vibrating saidmembers.

- 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said connecting meanscomprises a pair of links pivotably connected adjacent the opposite endsthereof to pins extending upwardly from said members for forming aparallelogram linkage.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said links is providedwith an elongated slot for loosely receiving a pin extendingtherethrough to permit lateral play therebetween.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said gripping surfaceshas at least one indentation formed thereon.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said gripping surfaces aretapered in converging relation with each other to progressively compressthe strip laterally as the apparatus advances along said strip.

11. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cam surfaces also arelaterally inclined from said gripping surfaces downwardly in aconverging relation.

12. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said grippingsurfaces is provided with anti-friction means engagable with said strip.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said cam surfaces isprovided with anti-friction means engagable with said strip.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said members are providedwith means for compressing said strip laterally prior to insertion inthe groove.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said compressing meanscomprise laterally spaced rollers engagable with opposite sides of saidstrip.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for adjusting thelateral spacing between said members.

1. Apparatus for inserting a sealing strip into a groove comprising apair of members, means connecting said members together in aside-by-side relation, said members having opposed work engagingsurfaces for receiving a sealing strip therebetween, means for movingsaid members relative to each other and to such strip to advance saidmembers axially relative to said strip, and means operable upon suchrelative movement of said members for inserting said strip into thegroove.
 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said opposed workengaging surfaces comprise gripping surfaces laterally engaging thestrip.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strip insertingmeans include cam surfaces on said members longitudinally inclineddownwardly for directing the strip into the groove.
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 together with means mounted adjacent one end ofsaid members for inserting said strip in said groove to a predetermineddepth.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for guidingsaid members along said groove.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1including means for vibrating said members.
 7. Apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of linkspivotably connected adjacent the opposite ends thereof to pins extendingupwardly from said members for forming a parallelogram linkage. 8.Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said links is providedwith an elongated slot for loosely receiving a pin extendingtherethrough to permit lateral play therebetween.
 9. Apparatus accordingto claim 2 wherein each of said gripping surfaces has at least oneindentation formed thereon.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 2 whereinsaid gripping surfaces are tapered in converging relation with eachother to progressively compress the strip laterally as the apparatusadvances along said strip.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 3 whereinsaid cam surfaces also are laterally inclined from said grippingsurfaces downwardly in a converging relation.
 12. Apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein each of said gripping surfaces is provided withanti-friction means engagable with said strip.
 13. Apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein each of said cam surfaces is provided withanti-friction means engagable with said strip.
 14. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said members are provided with means for compressingsaid strip laterally prior to insertion in the groove.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14 wherein said compressing means comprise laterallyspaced rollers engagable with opposite sides of said strip. 16.Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for adjusting the lateralspacing between said members.